Disinfecting apparatus.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH VILLIAMS, VILLIAM H. WILLIAMS, AND EDVARD R. VILLIAMS, OF

' SHARPSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

DISINFECTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,929, dated February3, 1903.

Application led January 30, 1902. Serial No. 91,895. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that we, JOSEPH WILLIAMS, WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS, and EDWARDR.WIL LIAMS, citizens of the United States of America, residing atSharpsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Disinfecting Apparatus,of which the following is a specification,reference being ro had thereinto the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements indisinfecting apparatuses applicable to the walls, partitions, or othersuitable support within lavatories or other places in whichdisinfectants are emr ployed, and has for its object a device of thischaracter wherein the quantity of disinfectant permitted to remainwithin the outer casing and from thence find egress into the zo roomshall be automatically regulated by the supply retained within the outercasing and being fed thereto by means of the admittance of air, said airadmittance being controlled by the disinfectant inthe outer casing.

The invention has for its further object an apparatus of theabove-described character wherein the quantity of disinfectant necessaryto cause the fumes of the disinfectant to emanate and the disinfectantitself to drop 3o from the outer casing with regular intervals betweeneach drop and at all times be adjustable, so as to cause a longer orshorter interval between each drop, and thus cause a greater or lessfeed of the disinfectant.

Further objectsof the invention reside in the simplicity and economicalfeatures of construotion,the comparative inexpense to man ufacture, andthe efficient operation.

With the above and other objects in view 4o the invention consists inthe novel combination and arrangement of parts, to be hereinafter morefully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings,

formingapart of this specification, and wherein like numerals ofreference indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus, showing the same in itsoperative posi- 5o tion. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof.Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing the cover of the outer casing removed.Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 4 4 ofFig. 2. 55

The outer casing (designated by the reference-numeral l) is preferablyof an annular form, though this is optional and is not essential to theaims of the invention. The usual cover or top 2 is secured at the upperend of 6o the casing l and has a series of perforations 3 therein, whoseshape and number may vary, as well as those 'designated by thereferencenumeral 4 of the outer casing l. An annular disk 5 has a screw6, formed integral with 65 the upper face thereof, which is threadedinto one end of the interior tube 7, the other end of which carries anintegral cap 8, to the under face of which is secured the rubber orleather washer 9, which surrounds this inner 7o tube 7. Surrounding thescrew 6 are washers l0 placed thereon, which are seated upon the upperface of the disk 5; The upper face of the uppermost washer is engaged bythe lower end of the interior tube 7, and the washers may vary innumberaccording to the height desired to adjust the apertures 23 for theadmission of air to the interior of tube 7. A thumb or set screw 1l isscrewed through the side of the interior tube 7 and engages 8o thethreads of the screw 6 for securing the tube 7 against rotation when afiner adjustment is to be had. When it is desired to adjust the aperture23 in tube 7 to a less height than would be had were a washer placedover the screw 6, the tube is turned upon the screw 6 until the desiredheight has been reached, when the thumb or set screw 11 is turned toengage the screw 6, and the tube is thus retained in its adj ustedposition, there- 9o by retaining the air-apertures 23 at the desiredheight.

The inner casing or tank l2, as shown, is preferably of an annular form,though this is optional and is not essential to the invention, and issupported by the cap 8, mounted upon the upper end of the tube 7, andcarries upon the outer face of its upper end the ring 13, whereby theremoval of the inner casing or tank may be had. 'Formed integral orrigidly secured to the lower end of the inner casing or tank 12 is aninteriorly-threaded collar 14, inserted in the opening 16, formed in thebottom of the inner casing or tank 12. The outer tube 17, having one ormore apertures or perforations 18 near its lower end, carries theannular outwardly extending flanged collar 19, adapted for engagementwith the interior of the bottom of the inner casing or tank 12, thisIianged collar 19 being exteriorly threaded to engage theinteriorlythreaded collar 14.

In order to establish communication between the contents of the interiorcasing or tank 12 and the interior of the outer casing 1, a tubepreferably of a siphon shape 20, having its one end projecting throughand beneath the lower end of the inner casing or tank 12 and the otherend thereof located within the tank 12, extending in proximity to thebottom thereof. The use of a siphon has the advantage of presenting acommunication wherein the gathering of sediments or foreign substancesis prevented, thus obviating any danger of clogging. This siphon may besupplanted by providing the outer tube 17 with one or more apertures 18,permitting the disinfectant from the inner casing to flow therethroughto the space between the tubes 17 and 7 and thence to the outer casing.Vhile we have shown both of these means of establishing communication,still We reserve the right to dispense with one or the other, since itis only necessary to employ one means, though both can be convenientlyused.

A tube 22, which extends above the highest point to which theair-apertures are capable of being moved, and consequently the highestpoint possible for the disinfectant to attain within the outer casing,has an absorbing-wick or other like material 2l secured therein and hasthe one end of said wick extending into the disinfectant and the otherend extending down into the tube 22, whereby a gradual exhausting of thedisinfectantI is obtained. The rapidity of feed of the disinfectant fromthe outer casing to the urinal or other point to which it is desired thedisinfectant should be fed is dependent upon the distance from thesurface of the disinfectant within the outer casing to the uppermostportion of the wick where it enters the tube 22. Thus when thedisinfectant has a less distance to traverse the feed will be fasterthan when it has a greater distance to travel, in which event the feedwill consequently be slower. This is readily predetermined by adjustingthe height of the apertures 23 in tube 7. Thus when a rapid feed isdesired the tube is raised, and consequently the apertures, which willallow of a greater amount of disinfectant to find egress to the outercasing prior to the sealing of the air-apertures 23.

lVe will assume for the purpose of illustration that the inner tank 12has a quantity of disinfectant therein, which quantity must beregulated, so that the surface of the disinfectant will lie below theaperture near the upper end of the inner tube 7. The air passing throughthe inner tube 7 and entering b etween the upper surface of the liquidand the top of the inner casing or tank 12 will cause a certain amountthereof to exhaust through the Siphon 2O or apertures 18 near the lowerend of the tube 17 into the outer casing 1. However, after the entranceof the air has ceased no disinfectant will further exhaust. The outertank 1 at this time has a sufficient quantity of disinfectant therein tocause the upper surface thereof to form a sealing contact with theperiphery of the inner tube 7 and apertures 23, effectually preventingany air from gaining access to the interior of the tank 12 by means ofthe inner tube 7 and the space formed between the inner and outer tubes7 and 17. Thus all air is shut off from having ingress to the innercasing 12, permitting the disinfectant therein to remain in anundisturbed state. During this time the fumes of the disinfectant areexhausting through the various foraminous portions-of the outer casing 1and the cap 2; also, the disinfectant is at the same time dropping fromthe tube 22, and it is desirable that the same be replenishedy from theinner tank 12 in order to permit the unretarded exhaust of the fumes anddisinfectant, which is at all times carried on by means of the wick orother absorbent material 21. When the liquid in the outer casing 1 hasbecome exhausted to such an extent as to lower the upper surface thereofto a point beneath the perforations 23 near the end of the tube 7, airfinds its way into the interior of this inner tube 7 through theaforesaid openings 23 and exhausts through perforations 24, formed inthe upper end thereof, above the upper extremity of the outer tube 17,which air exerts pressure upon the upper surface of the liquid andcauses the same to exhaust through the siphon 20, as well as through theapertures 18 in the tube 17, until the level of the liquid has againreached that point where it forms a sealing engagement with theapertures 23 in the inner tube 7 and prevents the entrance of the air.It will thus be seen that the automatic recharging of the receptacle 1from whence the fumes and disinfectant escape 'is constantly being keptup so long'as the supply of the disinfectant Within the inner casing ortank 12 is such as will permit the same to exhaust when the air exertspressure upon the surface thereof, requiring no attendance other thanthe recharging of the inner tank or casing 12.

To recharge the inner casing or tank 12, the same is bodily removed fromthe outer-casing, together with the tubes 17 and 7, and the apparatus isplaced in an inverted position, tubes 7 and 17 being then removed andthe disinfectant poured through the collar 14 IOO IOS

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until the desired amount has been reached,`

` when the tubes are replaced, and the inversion of the inner tankcauses the inner tube 7 to drop downwardly of its own weight, the washer9, carried thereby, forming a sealing engagement with the upper end ofthe tube 17, thus shutting off all air which would normally gain accessthrough the interior of the tube 7 and the space between the tubes 7 and17. The device is then placed `within the outer casing 1, with the disk5 resting upon the bottom, when the cap 8 will engage the upper end ofthe casing or tank 12 and cause the same to assume the position as shownin Fig. 2.

While in the drawings we have not illustrated any mannerof securing thedevice to the walls or the support, still it is obvious that any meansmay be employed. Since this does not enter into the invention, we havenot described or shown the same.

It will be noted. that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the general spirit of our invention.

Having fully described our invention, what' what we claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a disinfecting apparatus, the combination of an outer casing, withmeans for exhausting the disinfectant therein, an inner casing adaptedto receive the charge of disinfectant, adjustable means supported by theouter casing extending within the inner casing and engaging the topthereof for suspending the inner casing, said means being hollow andhaving air-apertures extending above the surface of the disinfectant inthe inner casing, a tube apertured at its lower portion carried by theinner casing surrounding and spaced from said means, with air-aperturesformed in the lower portion of said hollow means adapted to be sealed bythe disinfectant in the outer casing whereby the exhaust from the innercasing may cease, and a communication between said casings.

2. In a disinfecting apparatus, the combination of an outer casingadapted to receive the disinfectant, of an inner casing mounted withinthe outer casing above the bottom thereof and being suitably spacedtherefrom, an outer tube carried by the inner tank, having one or moreperforations therein for establishing communication between thedisinfectant in the inner tank and the outer casing, a tube mountedwithin said tube and supporting said inner casing or tank, said tubesbeing suitably spaced apart, the inner tube having perforations thereinwhereby air may be admitted to the interior of the inner tank, and meansfor exhausting the disinfectant from the outer casing, and means carriedby the inner casing whereby the said outer casingmay be recharged whenthe disinfectant therein has been sufficiently exhausted to permit airto enter "into the perforations in the said tube whereby the air isadmitted to the inner tank, substantially as described.

3. In a disinfecting apparatus, an outer casing carryinga perforatedtube therein with means for adjusting the height of the tube, an innercasing supported by the said tube, means for exhausting the disinfectantfrom the outer casin g, means for establishing communication betweensaidcasings, the surface of the disinfectant within the outer casing adaptedto control the entrance of the air into said tube whereby the outercasing is g recharged. y

4. In a disinfecting apparatus, an outer casing carrying an inner casingwith a perforated tube carried by the outer casing and`a perforated tubecarried by the inner casing surrounding said first-named tube, a tube ofa Siphon shape carried by the innercasing and extending into theoutercasing, said firstnamed tube being adapted to permit air to entertherethrough and into the inner casing whereby the disinfectant thereinis fed to the outer casing, the entrance of air into said first-namedtube being controlled by the disinfectant within the outer casing, andmeans for exhausting the disinfectant from the outer casing,substantially as described.

5. In a disinfecting apparatus, an outer casing carrying a tube providedwith a perforation to admit air to said tube, means for varying thedistance between the bottom of the casing and the perforation in saidtube to regulate the feed of the disinfectant, an innercasing supportedby said tube, means communicating with said inner casing for feeding thedisinfectant to the out-er casing, means for establishing communicationbetween said casings, the surface of the disinfectant within the outercasing adapted to control the entrance of the air into said tube wherebythe outer casing is recharged.

6. A disinfecting apparatus comprising twoA casings, one mounted withinthe other and in communication with each other, the inner casing adaptedto receive the charge of the` disinfectant, means for feeding thedisinfectant from the inner casing to the outer casing, means forexhausting the disinfectant from the outer casing, means for regulatingand varyin g the quantity of disinfectant fed from the outer casing,means for raising and lowering the tank to change the point at which airis admitted to or shut off from the inner tank whereby the desiredheight of the disinfectant upon the said means used for exhausting thedisinfectant from the outer casing is regulated.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS. WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS. EDWARD R. WILLIAMS. Witnesses:

, JOHN NoLAND, E. E. POTTER.

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